University of California Davis Health Program

The Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at the University of California, Davis Health offers specialized training accredited by the American Committee for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The program is designed to provide advanced education and clinical experience focusing primarily on the management of critically ill surgical patients, with an emphasis on trauma, surgical oncology, and transplantation.

Program Structure

The fellowship consists of three, one-year positions available each year. Fellows may have the opportunity to extend their training to a second year for additional expertise in acute care surgery, basic science, or clinical research, pending approval from the program leadership. Successful completion of the fellowship qualifies graduates to sit for the American Board of Surgery's Certificate of Added Qualifications in Surgical Critical Care.

Training Locations

The UC Davis Medical Center serves as the primary training site for the fellowship. This tertiary referral center in Sacramento encompasses a 646-bed acute care teaching hospital and serves a vast area of over 65,000 square miles. The center is renowned for being the sole Level I trauma center in inland Northern California and is equipped with a comprehensive burn unit, allowing fellows to gain extensive experience in trauma and burn patient care.

Fellowship Rotations

The curriculum is structured to ensure that fellows are involved in various aspects of critical care management. The majority of the fellowship is spent on the surgical critical care service, which provides exposure to a wide range of surgical conditions, including trauma, transplant, and emergencies. Additionally, fellows experience specialized rotations in other intensive care units such as neurocritical care, medical intensive care, cardiac intensive care, and the burn unit. This comprehensive training is supplemented with opportunities to engage in medical student and resident teaching activities throughout the year.

Research Opportunities

Research is a notable component of the Surgical Critical Care Fellowship. The program encourages fellows to engage in both basic science and clinical research, leveraging the available laboratory facilities at both the Sacramento and Davis campuses. Collaborations with other medical and scientific departments within UC Davis are highly encouraged to enrich the research experience. The unique patient volume at the medical center facilitates a wide range of research opportunities related to surgical critical care.

Community and Living Experience

Sacramento, the capital of California, offers a vibrant community with access to various recreational activities, including proximity to outdoor essentials like Lake Tahoe and the San Francisco Bay area. The area is known for its affordable housing options, contributing to a favorable living experience for fellows. Sacramento's moderate climate provides conducive living conditions throughout the year.

Visa Sponsorship and Competitiveness

The fellowship program is open to qualified international medical graduates. The program supports visas that allow for fellowship training, ensuring eligible fellows have the ability to participate in the training fully. Furthermore, the fellowship is competitive, attracting a diverse cohort of applicants, including those from osteopathic and international medical backgrounds.

Application Requirements

To apply for the fellowship, candidates must have completed an accredited general surgery residency and obtain eligibility for a California medical license. Applicants are advised to be board-certified or board-eligible by the American Board of Surgery. Additionally, the program adheres to the regulations of the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and the SCC and ACS Fellowship Application Service, requiring all prospective fellows to submit their applications through the specified channels.

Compensation and Benefits

The fellowship provides competitive salary compensation reflective of the postgraduate year level, along with comprehensive benefits that include paid sick leave, professional liability insurance, and four weeks of annual paid vacation. For detailed information about the benefits and compensation structure, fellows can refer to the dedicated resident and fellow human resources website.

Unique Features

The program emphasizes the importance of hands-on experience, surgical mentorship from experienced faculty, and supportive learning environments. Engagement in education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and research-oriented practices contributes to fellows becoming well-rounded surgical critical care specialists prepared to excel in their careers.